Category Archives: Anecdotal Stories

An Unabsorbed Identity Scripture References: Exodus 6:7-8; John 9:5 William of Normandy conquered only English land, not English hearts. Nor did he ever enjoy his triumph. By giving English land to Norman gentry, he antagonized his subjects. By brutally oppressing … Continue reading →

From Frivolous to Foolish Scripture References: Genesis 16:13-14; Matthew 21:15-17 When Mrs. Virgin went to the doctor to see if she was pregnant, the doctor examined her, then went to a window and scanned the sky. What was he looking … Continue reading →

Do You Have the Right Guy? Scripture References: 2 Kings 23:36, 24:8; Acts 21:37-38 The Navy twice arrested William Finch and hauled him in as a deserter, though he is not in the Navy. Someone used his name and social … Continue reading →

What’s In a Name? Scripture References: Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:21 AYDS, a diet-control candy, made great profits for its manufacturer from 1941 until the 1980s. By 1988, sales dropped as much as 50 percent. Nothing in the product changed, but … Continue reading →

To Bring the Light Scripture References: Isaiah 60:16, 19; Ephesians 3:10-11 An English doctor found writing short stories more to his liking than writing prescriptions. After numerous rejections, Beeton’s Christmas Annual delighted the doctor by publishing his murder tale in … Continue reading →

To Bring the Light Scripture References: Isaiah 55:1-2; Ephesians 5:19-20 Returning to his hut late one night after Bible study, Ernest Gordon thought he heard singing from another hut. He stopped and listened. It was singing. To the accompaniment of … Continue reading →

To Stay Out of Despair Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 15:16; Luke 7:18-19 The Green Beret prisoner crouched in a small shipping crate in which his Vietnamese captors forced him. The incredible heat, the infernal mosquitoes, and the constant poking from … Continue reading →

In a Few Minutes Time Scripture References: Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:15 The priests in St. Nicolas Church, Obendorf, Austria, panicked Christmas Eve, 1818, when the church organ malfunctioned. The assistant pastor quickly penned a six-stanza poem, beginning with the words … Continue reading →

Gone to the Dogs Scripture References: Nehemiah 12:27-28, 31, 38; Hebrews 10:25 Neighbors close to a large kennel began to complain about the disruptive noise. The owner decided to experiment with music piped through the kennels to see if it … Continue reading →

Not Really Scripture Scripture References: Genesis 3:2-4; Romans 7:24-25 In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius praised his father as a man who could appreciate, without pride or apology, whatever good came to him. What he possessed he enjoyed; what he couldn’t … Continue reading →

Even the Depraved Scripture References: Deuteronomy 1:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 While working undercover for the FBI, Joseph Pistone found that even Mafia soldiers have strong moral feelings. What did they feel about Iran, while it held our embassy? Bomb Teheran. … Continue reading →

Having and Solving Scripture References: 1 Samuel 25:10-11; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 The National Center for Health Statistics surveyed over 42,000 adults in 1991 and discovered that while depression was more common for women, men were more restless, and both felt … Continue reading →

The Delusion of Wealth Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:10-12; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 A national survey, conducted by scientists at the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, found that over half of Americans feel at least moderate stress in their lives. … Continue reading →

Learning From Other’s Mistakes Scripture References: Jeremiah 7:12; 1 Corinthians 10:11 On October 25, 1983, United States forces invaded the island of Granada, in the eastern Caribbean. Hard-line Marxists had seized control of the government, assassinated the previous ruler, and … Continue reading →

Not to Erase the Good Scripture References: Ezekiel 18:21-22; Colossians 3:13 A couple enjoyed a wonderful twenty—year marriage. Compatible in every way, it seemed the perfect match. When he died, the widow proved inconsolable. Her life had come to an … Continue reading →

Even They Scripture References: Joshua 7:2-5; 1 Corinthians 10:12 George Morar made his first parachute jump in Korea when his plane went down behind enemy lines. It saved his life. In 1983 he made his last jump from a small … Continue reading →

Not That at All Scripture References: Job 42:6; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 Columbus’ fortunes plummeted after his first voyage. When he returned under fire from his second, he decided that pride had led God to frown on his achievements. To curry … Continue reading →

Only a Few Scripture References: Psalm 18:1-3, 16-17; Romans 8:17 Forty-six percent of actors and actresses live in Los Angeles and 36 percent in New York. In 1982 they earned an unevenly distributed $459 million. More than 81 percent of … Continue reading →

In His Mind Scripture References: Nehemiah 4:6; Colossians 3:9-10 “Bat,” or “Roman Nose,” as the whites called him, stood six feet three inches. He claimed to possess great medicine in a headdress he wore in all battles. It repeatedly protected … Continue reading →